PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that people get after experiencing an extremely traumatizing event. People who have been affected by PTSD may have trouble getting back to their regular life, reconnecting with others, and feeling safe. Sometimes fear comes and goes with this depending on what has happened to you and what is causing the fear. This disorder can be unpredictable and uncontrollable without help. PTSD varies from person to person.
Causes
War
Natural Disasters
Car or Plane Crashes
Terrorist Attacks
Sudden Deaths Of Loved Ones
Rape
Kidnapping
Assault
Sexual or Physical Abuse
Childhood Neglect
Or any shattering event that leaves you stuck and feeling helpless and hopeless.
Signs and Symptoms
Re-experiencing the traumatic event
Upsetting memories of the event
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Feelings of intense distress when reminded of the trauma
Intense physical reactions to reminders i.e. increased heart rate, rapid breathing, nausea
Avoiding reminders of the trauma
Avoiding activities, places, thoughts, or feelings that remind you of the trauma
Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
Loss of interest in activities and life in general
Feeling detached from others and emotionally numb
Sense of a limited future
Increased anxiety and emotional arousal
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Irritability or outbursts of anger
Difficulty concentrating
Hypervigilance (on constant 'red alert')
Feeling jumpy or easily started
Risk Factors
Revolve around the nature of the traumatic event itself.
High level of stress in everyday life
Lack of support after the trauma
Lack of coping skills
People may slip back into the memory and cause physical harm to themselves and others
Treatments/Getting Help
If you suspect that you or a loved one has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, it is important to seek help right away. The sooner it is confronted, the easier it is to overcome.
Having PTSD is not a sign of weakness, the only way to overcome it is to confront what happened to you and accept that it is a part of your past.
PTSD symptoms can worsen physical health problems
Explore your thoughts and feelings about the trauma
Learn how to cope with and control intrusive memories
Medications
Zoloft
Paxil
MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)
All of these are anti-depressant drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). They work by blocking the site on neurons that remove serotonin from the synapses which is a process called Reuptake. This allows the body to access more serotonin.
PTSDPost Traumatic Stress DisorderWhat is PTSD?
PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that people get after experiencing an extremely traumatizing event. People who have been affected by PTSD may have trouble getting back to their regular life, reconnecting with others, and feeling safe. Sometimes fear comes and goes with this depending on what has happened to you and what is causing the fear. This disorder can be unpredictable and uncontrollable without help. PTSD varies from person to person.Causes
- War
- Natural Disasters
- Car or Plane Crashes
- Terrorist Attacks
- Sudden Deaths Of Loved Ones
- Rape
- Kidnapping
- Assault
- Sexual or Physical Abuse
- Childhood Neglect
Or any shattering event that leaves you stuck and feeling helpless and hopeless.Signs and Symptoms
Re-experiencing the traumatic eventAvoiding reminders of the trauma
Increased anxiety and emotional arousal
Risk Factors
Revolve around the nature of the traumatic event itself.People may slip back into the memory and cause physical harm to themselves and others
Treatments/Getting Help
Medications
- Zoloft
- Paxil
- MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)
All of these are anti-depressant drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). They work by blocking the site on neurons that remove serotonin from the synapses which is a process called Reuptake. This allows the body to access more serotonin.Related Disorders
Work Cited
"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Symptoms, Treatment and Self-Help." Helpguide.org: Expert, Ad-free Articles Help Empower You with Knowledge, Support & Hope. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://helpguide.org/mental/post_traumatic_stress_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm>."PTSD and Anxiety Disorders - Information on PTSD and Anxiety Disorders." PTSD - PTSD Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://ptsd.about.com/od/relatedconditions/a/anxietydisorder.htm>.
Thomas, Peggy. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Farmington Hills, MI: Lucent, 2008. Print.
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